What Are The Different Types of SSDI Benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two types of disability benefits. First, there’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and secondly, there’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs are used to supplement the income of those who are unable to work due to disability, but the two programs assist different audiences.

SSDI differs from SSI because it is a benefit from paying into the social security system through your taxable income. This is similar to the Social Security retirement system of benefits that a person received upon retirement from the workforce. Candidates for SSDI must be under 65 years of age, and they must have earned a specific number of “credits” from their years of working and paying into the SSDI system.

SSDI is intended for recipients who can no longer work due to an impairment, and that impairment must be expected to endure for more than a year or until death. Monthly SSDI benefits are based on the income level of the person who is injured. A higher monthly income would mean a higher monthly benefit amount. After receiving SDI benefits for two years, a disabled worker becomes automatically covered under Medicare.

SSDI benefits also require a five-month waiting period where the claimant cannot receive benefits. The purpose of this waiting period is to validate the claimant’s disability as a long-term situation. Benefits are payable to both the workers who are affected by the physical or mental disability, or their surviving spouse, children, or those workers who are disabled or blind. Your dependents may also receive SSDI benefits from your record of earnings, but only adults over age 18 can receive the SSDI disability benefit.

Though the system of SSDI can be confusing, the experts at Franco Law Firm are here to help you decipher the terms and conditions that may be part of your disability benefits. Understanding the SSDI system can help you understand how your monthly payment amounts are calculated, how to properly navigate the system, and how to make the most of your benefits. With Franco Law Firm, we will always advocate for you as you navigate the complex elements of disability benefits.